Visitor insurance for Canada: Coverage, costs, and why it’s essential

What does visitor medical insurance in Canada cover?

Visitor insurance in Canada protects travelers from unexpected medical expenses during their stay, such as doctor visits, diagnostic tests, paramedical services, ambulance services, and more.

Here’s what most visitor emergency insurance plans cover:

• Consult doctors and physicians: Insurers pay for medical consultations and, in some cases, follow-up visits if a doctor deems them necessary
• Prescription coverage after emergencies: Insurance covers the cost of prescription medications when a licensed physician prescribes them for an emergency
• Diagnostic tests: Plans cover lab tests, blood work, X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs required to treat a medical emergency 
• Paramedical services: Policies reimburse the cost of treatment from licensed professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, podiatrists, or massage therapists
• Care for pre-existing conditions: Some plans include limited coverage for stable pre-existing conditions, allowing visitors with ongoing health issues to receive treatment when needed
• Emergency dental treatment: Insurers cover dental care costs if a sudden accident or injury causes the need for emergency dental work or oral surgery
• Ambulance services: Visitor insurance plans pay for ground or air ambulance transportation to the nearest hospital in case of a medical emergency
• Repatriation: Insurance covers the cost to return the visitor to their home country due to a serious illness, injury, or death
• Extended stay expenses: If a doctor advises the visitor to remain in Canada longer than planned, insurance reimburses costs for hotels, meals, and local transportation
• Temporary childcare: Plans pay for temporary childcare if a hospitalized visitor cannot care for a dependent child
• Trip breaks or side trips: Some policies let visitors take short trips to another country or their home country without cancelling or interrupting their medical coverage

What are some common exclusions to visitor insurance in Canada?

Most medical insurance plans for visitors to Canada have some common exclusions. They do not cover pre-existing conditions, pregnancy, mental health conditions, high-risk adventure activities, and anything that falls outside the Usual, Customary, and Reasonable (UC&R). 

Common exclusions to a visitor insurance plan

Note: Insurance providers have their lists of exclusions to a visitor in Canada insurance plan. It is important to read your policy document carefully to ensure compliance.

Who needs visitor health insurance in Canada?

Any non-resident in Canada, including those visiting relatives, tourists, foreign workers, international students, and returning Canadians, need visitor health insurance. Such a policy will ensure they are protected against significant costs associated with any medical emergency during their trip. 

Visitor insurance for international students in Canada

Insurance providers such as Secure Travel (RIMI), Tugo, and Travelance offer customized visitor insurance plans for international students on student visas in Canada. The cost of visitor insurance for international students in Canada ranges between $50 and $120. These prices are for a 30-day trip with $100,000 in coverage, depending on age and health. To get a student’s visitor insurance policy, applicants must be:

• Residing in Canada on a temporary basis
• Ineligible for benefits under a government health plan
• A student with proof of full-time admission in a recognized Canadian institution of learning; or
• A student completing postdoctoral research in a recognized Canadian institution of learning; or
• The spouse or dependent child of the insured student and residing with them on a full-time basis; or
• The parent, legal guardian, teacher, or chaperone of the insured student

Visitor insurance to Canada plans for students cover everything that a medical insurance visitor plan covers. Some insurers, such as Secure Travel (RIMI), also include coverage for emergency psychiatric care, trauma counselling, sexual health consultation, and tutorial services in case of illness as part of their student visitor to Canada plans. 

Visitor health insurance for foreign workers in Canada

Foreign workers on a work permit who are not covered under any government health plan or an employer-sponsored plan can benefit greatly from a health insurance for visitors to Canada policy. The cost of visitor health insurance for foreign workers in Canada typically ranges between $70 and $150 per month. These prices are for a 60-day trip with $100,000 in coverage.

Visitor insurance in Canada is especially important for:

• Workers who have just arrived in Canada and are yet to receive provincial healthcare benefits
• Those whose work permits may have expired but they haven’t left Canada yet
• Workers who are in the process of getting their work permit renewed

Visitor insurance for returning Canadians

Canadians who have been living outside Canada for more than six months usually end up losing their provincial healthcare benefits. When they return to Canada, their government health coverage takes up to 2-3 months to be reinstated. This usually happens in provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec.  For a 60-day stay with $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, the cost of visitor insurance for returning Canadians ranges between $60 and $130 per month.

During the waiting period, returning Canadians can benefit greatly from a visitor’s insurance plan to cover unexpected medical costs. 

Canadians who move from one province to another also lose access to their government health benefits temporarily. Visitor to Canada plans can help them manage emergency medical conditions. 

Insurance for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens

Super visa insurance is a special type of visitor health insurance that’s only available to the parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or residents who are staying in the country for a long period of time. This health insurance covers any medical emergencies that happen during the visitor’s stay in Canada. For a 30-day trip with $100,000 in emergency medical coverage, Super Visa insurance costs typically range between $110 and $250.

The minimum requirements a super visa insurance policy has to meet are:

• Must be valid for at least one year from the date the visa holder arrives in Canada
• Must have at least $100,000 in coverage
• Must cover emergency medical care, possible hospitalization, and repatriation
• Must be active and available for review by an immigration official each time the visa holder enters Canada
• Must have been bought from a Canadian insurance company

Can I buy visitor insurance after arriving in Canada?

Yes, you can buy visitor insurance after you arrive in Canada, but most insurers apply a waiting period for illness coverage, usually between 48 hours and 8 days. During this time, the policy won’t cover any medical treatment related to illnesses. However, insurers start coverage for accidental injuries immediately once you purchase the policy.

Insurers also set a purchase window, typically requiring you to buy the policy within 30 to 45 days of your arrival. If you wait too long, you may not qualify for coverage or may face longer waiting periods and limited benefits. To avoid coverage gaps and delays, it’s best to buy your insurance as early as possible, ideally before you land in Canada.

How can I pay for Canadian visitors’ insurance?

You can pay the premium amount for visitors to Canada insurance policy in two ways: full upfront payment and monthly payment plan. 

Upfront payment is straightforward, as you make a single payment at the start, which covers you for your entire trip to Canada. Many people prefer this method for its simplicity and convenience, as it eliminates the need for recurring payments and ensures uninterrupted coverage.

Monthly payment plans spread the cost of the insurance over several months. This option can be more manageable for those on a budget or with a limited cash flow, as it breaks down the total premium into smaller, more affordable installments. Insurers usually require a credit card on file for monthly payments.

Do visitors get free healthcare in Canada?

No, visitors do not get free healthcare in Canada. Although Canada has a public healthcare system, it does not extend to foreigners and non-residents visiting the country. Visitors are required to pay out-of-pocket for any medical services they may need during their stay unless they have purchased visitor medical insurance.

Without insurance, healthcare costs in Canada can be substantial — a visit to the doctor or a walk-in clinic could be anywhere from $100 to $600, while an emergency room or hospitalization could be as high as $6,000 per day!

How long do you have to live in Canada to get free healthcare?

You can receive provincial coverage after living in Canada for about three months. To qualify for free healthcare in Canada, you typically need to be a permanent resident or a citizen. After obtaining permanent residency, you can access public healthcare services as soon as you register with your provincial or territorial health insurance plan. This registration process may vary by province. During this waiting period, it is advisable to have private health insurance to cover any unexpected medical costs.

Is visitors’ insurance in Canada refundable?

Yes, in most cases, you can cancel your visitor health insurance policy and receive a refund. However, the specifics will depend on your insurance provider’s policies.

If you need to cancel your policy before coverage begins, you’re usually entitled to a full refund of the premium you paid. All policies from Canadian insurers come with a 10-day free-look period, during which you can cancel and get a full refund for any reason. 

If you cancel after those 10 days, refunds are typically only given in certain cases: if your entire trip is cancelled before you arrive in Canada, if your visa is denied, if you become ineligible under the policy, or if you pass away.

Can I extend a visitor in Canada insurance plan?

Yes, you can extend a visitor in Canada insurance plan in case you are increasing your trip duration. Extending your coverage may cost extra, with premiums varying based on the extension’s duration, your age, the coverage amount, and the deductible terms.

To extend a visitors in Canada policy you must meet the following criteria:

• No claims have been submitted or intend to be submitted
• Request for extension is made before the expiration of the current policy
• Insured remains eligible for insurance, meaning they are in good health/no change in health status and are not experiencing any symptoms or planning to seek treatment during the new coverage period
• Age at the start date of extension would not make the traveller ineligible for insurance with the respective company
• Limits on the total period of coverage from the effective date of the original policy—including extensions—may also be placed by insurers, such as 1 year for GMS or 2 years for Tugo
• The required premium for the additional period of coverage is paid

Can I get insurance for visitors to Canada with a pre-existing condition?

Yes, you can get travel insurance for visitors to Canada with pre-existing health conditions. Although all insurance companies in Canada provide the pre-existing policy option, coverage may be limited.

Most companies offer two variants of policy options – one that includes pre-existing illness coverage and one that doesn’t. This ensures that young and healthy individuals can opt for visitor health insurance without pre-existing condition coverage, which has lower premiums compared to the policies covering pre-existing conditions.

However, some companies such as Allianz, GMS, Tugo, Blue Cross, and MSH International only offer visitor medical insurance with an in-built pre-existing condition coverage.

Can I pause a visitor’s insurance plan to travel back home?

Yes, you can pause a visitors to Canada insurance plan and temporarily return to your home country. This is known as a “trip break” and nearly all insurers, except GMS, allow you to pause your plan. In such cases, the policy will not terminate, but rather coverage will be suspended with no claims payable for any incidents in the insured’s home country. 

It is important to note here that suspension does not mean that the clock on the policy will be paused—only coverage will be paused while the policy period will continue. In the case of a monthly payment plan, payments will continue to be made while the policy continues, even though coverage is suspended.

Can I take side trips or travel to another country on my visitor insurance?

Yes, you can take side trips and travel to another country, excluding your country of origin, while on a visitors insurance, provided your plan covers side trips. Most insurers need your side trip to originate and terminate in Canada. 

Insurers such as Manulife cover side trips that do not exceed 30 days per policy or 49% of the total number of coverage days. If you take a side trip that is longer than what is permitted, your policy will be suspended while you are out of Canada. Once you return, your coverage will resume.  

Do travel advisories or country restrictions affect my visitor insurance?

Yes, official travel advisories affect the side trip component of a visitors to Canada plan. Side trips are when non-residents travel outside Canada, apart from their country of origin. If you travel to a country outside Canada for which the Canadian government has issued a travel warning or advisory, you will not be covered for any illness or injury that may have occurred in that region. In some cases, your policy might be terminated if you travel to a country for which the government has issued an advisory. 

How to get the best visitor insurance quotes in Canada?

To find the best visitor insurance quotes in Canada, you need to compare multiple plans based on your age, trip duration, medical needs, and visa requirements. Instead of navigating dozens of options on your own, let a licensed advisor guide you.

At PolicyAdvisor, we work with 30+ top Canadian insurers to help you compare rates, understand coverage details, and find the right plan for your situation, whether you’re visiting for a few weeks, applying for a Super Visa, or hosting family members. Speak with one of our expert insurance advisors today to get customized visitor insurance quotes and safeguard your travel to Canada.

Do visitors’ insurance plans require a medical examination?

No, visitors’ insurance plans typically do not require a medical examination. Insurers may require a health questionnaire or declaration about pre-existing conditions, which helps them assess risk and determine coverage options.

Can I visit Canada without health insurance?

Yes, you can visit Canada without health insurance for visitors. But it is highly recommended that you get a visitors insurance plan to avoid paying exorbitant amounts for emergency medical treatment while you are in Canada. 

Can non-Canadian residents get free healthcare?

No. Non-residents in Canada do not have access to provincial healthcare. Only citizens and permanent residents are covered under Canada’s provincial healthcare.

Which is the best visitor insurance company in Canada?

Manulife, Tugo, GMS, Destination, Allianz, 21st Century, Secure Travel and Travelance are some of the top insurance companies in Canada that offer visitors to Canada insurance plans.